Campanula plant named ‘PKMTAK1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Campanula  plant named ‘PKMTAK1’, characterized by having compact plant habit; dense and bushy plant form, mainly due to short, upright and stiff stems; vigorous growth habit, but with less need for chemical growth retardation; small leaf size of apical and basal leaves; and deep rose colored flowers.

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Campanulatakesimana.

Variety denomination: ‘PKMTAK1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCampanula plant, botanically known as Campanula takesimana, commonlyknown as Korean Bellflower, and hereinafter referred to by the name‘PKMTAK1’.

The new Campanula ‘PKMTAK1’ is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Gert K. Jensen, in Søhus, Denmark. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop a new Campanula cultivarwith compact plant form and rose colored flowers.

The new Campanula cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor in 2000 in Søhus, Denmark. The femaleor seed parent is an unpatented, proprietary cultivar selected from theinternal breeding line of Campanula takesimana designated by internalno. 21.00.2146. The male or pollen parent is an unpatented, proprietarycultivar selected from the internal breeding line of Campanulatakesimana designated by internal no. 21.99.2145. The new Campanula‘PKMTAK1’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in March of 2000in a controlled environment in Søhus, Denmark. The inventor selected‘PKMTAK1’ on the basis of its compact plant form and deep rose coloredflowers.

Asexual reproduction of the new Campanula cultivar by terminal cuttingswas first performed in March of 2001 in Søhus, Denmark, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproducestrue-to-type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘PKMTAK1’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘PKMTAK1’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Compact plant habit;    -   2. Dense and bushy plant form, mainly due to short, upright and        stiff stems;    -   3. Vigorous growth habit, but with less need for chemical growth        retardation;    -   4. Small leaf size of apical and basal leaves; and    -   5. Deep rose-colored flowers.

Plants of the instant cultivar ‘PKMTAK1’ differ primarily from plants ofthe unpatented, proprietary parental cultivars selected from theinternal breeding lines of Campanula takesimana designated by internalnos. 21.00.2146 (female or seed parent) and 21.99.2145 (male or pollenparent) by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ are more compact and produce smaller        flowers than plants of the internal breeding line of Campanula        takesimana designated by internal no. 21.00.2146 (female or seed        parent); and    -   2. Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ are more vigorous in growth and produce        large flowers than plants of the internal breeding line of        Campanula takesimana designated by internal no. 21.99.2145 (male        or pollen parent).

Side-by-side comparisons were conducted by the inventor in Stige,Denmark, among plants of the instant cultivar ‘PKMTAK1’ and plants ofthe most similar commercial cultivar, Campanula takesimana. ‘Elizabeth’(unpatented). Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ differ from plants of Campanulatakesimana. ‘Elizabeth’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ are shorter and more compact in shape        than plants of Campanula takesimana ‘Elizabeth’;    -   2. Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ have shorter internodes, petioles, and        leaves than plants of Campanula takesimana ‘Elizabeth’;    -   3. Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ have shorter peduncles than plants of        Campanula takesimana ‘Elizabeth’; and    -   4. Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ produce flowers with a deeper rose color        than flowers produced by plants of Campanula takesimana        ‘Elizabeth’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Campanula ‘PKMTAK1’, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description, which more accuratelydescribe the actual colors of ‘PKMTAK1’.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘PKMTAK1’, as grown in a 10.5 cm pot at about 10 months of age aftercutting.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up side perspective view of a typical floweringplant of ‘PKMTAK1’, as grown in a 10.5 cm pot at about 10 months of ageafter cutting.

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘PKMTAK1’, as grown in a 10.5 cm pot at about 10 months of age aftercutting.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of a typical flowering raceme and leaves of‘PKMTAK1’ at about 10 months of age after cutting.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison perspective of a close-up view of a typicalflower of the comparison cultivar ‘Elizabeth’ to the new cultivar‘PKMTAK1’, at about 10 months of age after cutting.

FIG. 6 shows a comparison perspective of a close-up view of a mature,apical leaf and a mature, basal leaf of the new cultivar ‘PKMTAK1’, atabout 10 months of age after cutting.

FIG. 7 shows a comparison perspective of close-up view of a mature,apical leaf and a mature, basal leaf of the comparison cultivar‘Elizabeth’, at about 10 months of age after cutting.

FIG. 8 show a comparison perspective of close-up view of a mature,apical leaf and a mature, basal leaf of the comparison cultivar‘Elizabeth’ at about 10 months of age after cutting to a mature, apicalleaf and a mature, basal leaf of the new cultivar ‘PKMTAK1’ at about 10months of age after cutting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Campanula ‘PKMTAK1’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varysignificantly with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, day length, and fertility level without any variance ingenotype.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of the newCampanula ‘PKMTAK1’ as grown in a heated and lighted, glass-coveredgreenhouse in Søhus, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximatethose generally used in commercial practices where day temperatures inthe greenhouse range from 18-22° C. and the night temperature averages16° C. Ambient light levels used while growing plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ are+55 Wm². Plants of ‘PKMTAK1’ are grown with 16 hour long dayphotoperiodic treatments. The growth regulator Daminozide is used. Priorto growing plant of ‘PKMTAK1’ in a heated and lighted, glass-coveredgreenhouse, propagation and growing of the seedling of ‘PKMTAK1’ occursunder 10 hour short day photoperiodic treatments. In addition, theplants of ‘PKMTAK1’ are first grown outdoors during the winter beforebeing grown indoors in a heated and lighted, glass-covered greenhouse.

The age of the ‘PKMTAK1’ plants described in about 10 months aftercutting and are grown in 10.5 cm pots. The photographs and descriptionswere taken during the winter season when day temperatures in aglass-covered greenhouse range from 18-22° C. and when nighttemperatures in a glass-covered greenhouse average 16° C.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Campanula takesimana.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unpatented, proprietary cultivar            selected from the internal breeding line of Campanula            takesimana designated by internal no. 21.00.2146.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Unpatented, proprietary cultivar            selected from the internal breeding line of Campanula            takesimana designated by internal no. 21.99.2145.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 to 15 days at 18 to 21° C.            in tunnels in a greenhouse.        -   Roots description.—Fine, well branched.        -   Root structure.—Fibrous with many rhizomes.        -   Root color.—RHS 156B, gray-white.-   Plant description:    -   -   Form.—Perennial, herbaceous plant with upright, compact            plant habit. Produced as a potted plant. Campanulate flowers            in racemes. Freely branching from rhizomes.        -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 9 to 11 months are required            to produce finished flowering plants in 10.5 cm pots.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous growth rate.        -   Plant height (from pot rim to top of plant plane).—About 35            to 45 cm.        -   Plant spread (width).—About 30 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Habit: Basal shoots from rhizomes.            Quantity: About 15 to 20 per plant. Leaves per Lateral            Branch: About 5 to 7. Length (including flowers): Ranges            from 10 cm to 45 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Internode Length:            About 3.0 cm to 5.0 cm.        -   Stem.—Shape: Square. Strength: Stiff. Aspect: Upright.            Slight bend when bearing flowers. Texture: Very short hairs,            hispidulous. Upper parts glabrous. Color: RHS 166A,            gray-orange.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, heterophyllous.        -   Apical leaves.—Length: 25 to 50 mm. Width: 12 to 20 mm.            Overall shape: Lanceolate. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape:            Aequilateral. Margin: Serrate.        -   Basal leaves.—Length: 35 to 85 mm. Width: 25 to 67 mm.            Overall shape: Cordate. Apex shape: Cuspidate to rounded.            Base shape: Cordate. Margin: Crenate.        -   Apical & basal leaves.—        -   Texture.—Smooth, grooved.        -   Pubescence.—Barbellulate, along veins and margin.        -   Color.—Mature: Upper surface: RHS 137A, green; Lower            Surface: RHS 138C, green. Immature: Upper surface: RHS 138A,            green; Lower Surface: RHS 138C, green.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Reticulate. Color (both surfaces) RHS            138D, green.        -   Petiole.—Arrangement: Angular. Length: Apical: 0 cm. Basal:            Range from 3.0 to 6.0 cm. Diameter: 0.4 to 2 mm. Color: RHS            60B, red-purple; blotchy color.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Flower arrangement and shape.—Single, large acropetal            campanulate flowers in racemes, drooping.        -   Natural flowering season.—Continuous throughout spring and            early summer (May through July).        -   Time to flower.—The forcing period depends on the time of            year when the plants are moved from outside growing            conditions and then subjected to long day photoperiodic            treatments indoors. About 9 to 10 weeks, if plants are moved            indoors in December or January and subjected to 16 hour long            day photoperiodic treatments. About 6 to 7 weeks, if plants            are move indoors in April or May and subjected to 16 hour            long day photoperiodic treatments.        -   Rate of opening.—About 1 to 5 flowers per week.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant, flowers last about 5 to 9            days; however, longevity of individual flowers is highly            dependent on temperature and light conditions. Flowers            persistent.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height: About 10 to 11 cm. Diameter:            About 60 to 70 mm.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers and buds per lateral stem.—5 to 6.        -   Number of flowers and buds per plant.—About 30 to 40.        -   Buds.—Length: Up to 30 mm. Diameter: Up to 10 mm. Shape:            Oblong, ridged, fluted. Color: Ridges: RHS 59B, red-purple,            color blotchy; Valleys: RHS 138D, green.        -   Flowers.—Aspect: Drooping. Shape: Campanulate. Height: About            45 mm. Diameter: About 20 mm. Flowering: Persistent.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower: 5. Arrangement: Single,            sympetalous, campanulate, somewhat gibbous. Appearance:            Shiny. Length: Lobes: about 7 mm. Width: Lobes: about 10 mm.            Overall Shape: Lobes: triangular. Tip: Acute. Base: Fused.            Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Color (when opening and            when fully opened): Inside bell: Ground color: RHS 69C,            light red-purple; Dots: RHS 71A, dark red-purple. Outside            bell: Ground color: RHS 69A, light red-purple; Dots: RHS            71A, dark red-purple. Fading: No fading, but withers to RHS            N187D, gray-purple.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Free. Appearance: Shiny. Quantity per            flower: 5. Length: About 20 mm. Width: About 5 mm. Overall            shape: Hastate, sessile, clasping. Tip: Caudate. Base:            Sessile. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Color            (immature): Upper surface: RHS 138A, green; Under surface:            RHS 138C, green. Color (mature): Upper surface: RHS 137A,            green; Under surface: RHS 138C, green.        -   Peduncles.—Length: 6 mm to 25 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm.            Angle: About 45° to 180°. Strength: Average. Color: RHS            166A, grey-orange.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Quantity: 5, adenate to corolla until pollen has            been shed. Anther: Shape: Lanceolate, antisepalous, introse,            basifixed and two celled. After shedding pollen: curling.            Length: About 1 mm. Filament length: about 4 mm. Color: RHS            158B, yellow-white. Pollen: Amount: Moderate. Color: RHS            158B yellow-white.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Quantity: 1. Length: About 14 mm. Stigma:            Shape: Tripartite. Color: RHS 155D, white. Style: Length:            About 2 mm. Color: RHS 155D, white. Ovary: Color: RHS 150D,            yellow-green.-   Seed:    -   -   Quantity.—About 20 to 30 per flower.        -   Length.—About 1 mm.        -   Diameter.—Up to 1 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous, hard.        -   Color.—RHS 162A, gray-yellow.-   Weather tolerance: Plants of the new Campanula have exhibited good    tolerance to drought, rain and wind, with low temperature resistance    to −20° C.-   Disease/pest resistance: ‘PKMTAK1’ has not been tested.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: ‘PKMTAK1’ has not been tested.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Campanula plant named ‘PKMTAK1’, asillustrated and described herein.